Volume 6 Chapter 21 The Three Ancient Maidens
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
After the inaugural meeting of the World Tree¹ Research Task Force, I found myself doubled over in tears before the Queen.
”Um… your Majesty? I don’t have a single shred of confidence that I can actually do this,” I said.
”Now, Karin Kashiwagi,” the Queen replied, “you are the only one who can interact with the three Elders on equal footing. Being human makes you the perfect mediator. Emperor Balmstra and Chieftain Fedelate both insisted it be you. As do I.”
I let out a deflated, miserable moan. How did my life end up like this?
* * *
Things finally started moving once Big Sister Puruun brought in Lady Yohaku, the eldest of the Demon Clan. There is a certain stability that comes with a trio; they tend to keep each other’s egos in check. Thanks to them pooling their ancient memories, we finally had a lead on where the World Tree originally stood.
”The Vaulted Peaks²?” Ms. Claudel muttered.
It was a mountain range sitting dead-center in the middle of the continent. Apparently, ancient records showed that Demon Clan mages once marched there in massive numbers.
”Do you know the place, Ms. Claudel?” Big Sister Puruun asked.
”I know of it, but I’ve never stepped foot there. Honestly, I don’t think anyone does these days,” Ms. Claudel replied.
”Well, if we have a location, shouldn’t we go? That’s what a research team is for, right?” Puruun asked.
”It’s easy to say that, Ms. Puruun, but it’s a death trap,” Ms. Claudel said with a sharp sigh desuwa. “We’re talking about a five-thousand-meter chain of sacred peaks covered in eternal snow and glaciers. It’s untouched by man for a reason.”
”Yikes. If it’s that bad, I’d feel guilty even asking the Elders to make the trip,” Puruun muttered.
”It may be a wasteland now, but I remember a time when tribes worshipped those mountains as a holy land,” Lady Yasura said.
”The climate likely shifted once the World Tree was lost,” Lady Yohaku added.
[Either way, we have to see it for ourselves. I only hope we can find some trace of the past noja.]
Kororon-sama was clearly itching for an adventure.
”Well, they say three heads are better than one. We have our direction,” Ms. Claudel said. “However, we can’t send the Elders into such a dangerous environment without prep. We’ll deploy the military first to set up a base of operations. Until then, I ask that the three of you remain in your respective nations and wait for word.”
The moment Ms. Claudel finished, Kororon began to pout.
”How tedious noja,” Kororon grumbled. “I’ve gone through all the trouble of coming out here. Surely you can let me see the sights in Zerlant for a bit?”
”That sounds wonderful,” Yohaku chirped. “Please, let me join you.”
”Oh, Karin?” Big Sister Puruun said, laughing. “Looks like you’re the only one who can play tour guide.”
* * *
And that was how I became the “manager” for a group of ancient beings while we waited for the base camp to be built. Why was Lady Yasura coming along too?! Even with a squad of soldiers from Sir Aaron and the company of Lady Beyond and Master Sharlin, I felt completely overwhelmed.
”Sightseeing is a bit of a stretch,” Lady Beyond noted. “Our country doesn’t have much. Why not the Kashiwagi territory? You’re worried about your mother anyway, aren’t you, Karin? I took Princess Syu there last year. The rubber forests were actually quite interesting.”
I was worried about Mom. When I explained the situation, the Elders agreed that the Kashiwagi lands would be a fine destination. We turned the caravan toward my home.
”I see,” Kororon said during the trip. “Karin’s mother was caught in that Gate accident³. Her life force is fading. Consider this a small thank-you for the tour—I’ll examine her myself noja.”
The offer was incredible. Chieftain Fedelate had fixed my arm, so maybe Mom had a chance? But I pushed the thought away. I couldn’t let Kororon waste her energy before the real work began.
The Elders spent the journey bickering and staring out the windows. I suppose they had spent so much time hidden away in mausoleums and churches that they were just socially awkward. Underneath the crusty exteriors, they seemed like decent people. I’d sent word to my father, so he was ready for us.
We arrived at the Kashiwagi manor after nightfall.
”Father… it’s been a while,” I said.
”Karin! Good to see you. Though we talk over the magic-lines so much it doesn’t really feel like you were gone,” Kashiwagi Gen replied. “So, these children are… the Elders?”
”You’re not very surprised, Father,” I said. “And you can see Kororon for who she is?”
”Well, I was warned,” Gen said. “And after the Shu-Shuria incident, I’ve learned that age and appearance rarely match up in this world.”
”Mr. Kashiwagi, it is an honor,” Yohaku said with a polite bow. “I am Yohaku of the Demon Clan. I apologize for the sudden intrusion.”
”The honor is mine, Lady Yohaku. Your courtesy is humbling,” Gen replied.
”I… I’ve never spoken to a human man this closely before,” Yohaku whispered, her face flushing. “I’m actually quite excited!”
”Watch yourself, Master of the House,” Yasura interjected. “This one might look like a child, but she’s quite the lecher.”
”Oh, how cruel, Yasura!” Yohaku cried. “Wasn’t it you who said human men were ‘impressively built’ just an hour ago?”
”Enough, you dirty-minded hags!” Kororon barked. “Stop shaming your people! Karin, where is your mother? Take us to her noja.”
The two of them went quiet and followed me to Mom’s bedroom. Mom was awake, staring blankly at the ceiling. Kororon approached the bed, her eyes narrowing as she studied Mom’s face.
”Lady Kororon? Should I ask her if she’s okay with you touching her?” I asked quietly.
”No, Karin… there’s no need noja,” Kororon replied.
”Then… how is she?” I asked.
”Not here,” Kororon said. “Let’s speak in your father’s study.”
* * *
”What…? Is that true?” Father asked, collapsing to his knees. “You’re saying Akari won’t last another five years?”
The diagnosis was unanimous. Even Mister Goetec, who arrived shortly after, couldn’t find a way to argue.
”Karin, I am sorry,” Kororon said. “The very foundation of your mother’s life force is shattered. It’s invisible to normal doctors, but it’s a vital power we’re all born with. Once it’s gone, it doesn’t just come back. Her spirit will simply continue to dwindle until…”
”No…” I felt the floor drop out from under me.
”What am I supposed to do?” Father sobbed, his voice cracking. “I can’t do anything for her? It just ends like this? It’s too cruel…”
”Mr. Kashiwagi,” Yohaku said softly, “her life force is stagnating, but you can supplement it. If you stay close to her-physical contact, skin-to-skin-your own vitality will naturally transfer to her because of your bond.”
”I see…” Father wiped his eyes. “I spent so long away from her. This is my punishment. I understand. I won’t leave her side again.”
”Good grief,” Yasura muttered. “Why give them such false hope? Even if it works, it only buys her a few weeks at most.”
”And do you have a better idea, you stupid Elf?” Kororon snapped.
Yasura looked away, her expression pained. “I have no proof… but there is an ancient Elven legend. It says the ‘Dew of the World Tree⁴‘ can mend the pathways of life force. But no one has seen it in eons.”
”Then, Lady Yasura! If we find the World Tree, Mom might be saved?!” I cried.
”I said I have no proof…” Yasura whispered.
[Hmph. It might not be a total fairy tale, Karin noja.]
Kororon looked at me and gave a small, knowing smile.
—
Summary:
The investigation team identifies the ‘Vaulted Peaks’ as the likely location of the original World Tree. While waiting for a base to be built, Karin guides the three Elders to her home territory. There, Lady Kororon reveals that Karin’s mother is terminally ill, but a legend about the ‘Dew of the World Tree’ offers a slim hope for a cure.
—
Trivia:
- The Vaulted Peaks are 5,000 meters high and covered in glaciers.
- Karin’s mother, Akari, was injured in a ‘Gate accident’ previously mentioned in the story.
- Yohaku (Demon Elder) is explicitly attracted to human men because they are ‘impressively built’.
- Yasura (Elf Elder) is the one who provides the specific ‘Dew’ legend, though she is pessimistic.
- Life force transfer requires direct physical contact between bonded individuals
—
Character Insight:
Karin’s vulnerability as a daughter supersedes her role as a ‘manager’ this chapter. The Elders, despite their ‘oldest girl’ tropes, show genuine concern by immediately diagnosing Akari and offering potential solutions, showing their social distance is due to isolation rather than malice.
—
Behind the Scenes:
The ‘loli-baba’ trope is played for ‘gap moe’ here, especially with Yohaku’s unexpected excitement toward Gen, contrasting her status as the Demon Clan’s oldest figure.
—
TL Notes:
Notes:
• Fedelate – The clan leader of the Spirit Clan. He is kind, gentle, and shows a unique interest in Sofia. Fedelate is powerful, capable of using telekinesis and healing magic. He is intrigued by human emotions and experiences, especially love.
• Claudel – The elf captain of the royal guard assigned to Princess Asuka. At first, she had a strong dislike for Yuuta, who is human. Now, Yuuta’s saffle.
• Yasura – The Eldest of the Elf Clan. Appears as a young girl. Holds knowledge of ancient Elven legends regarding the World Tree.
• Kororon – The oldest and most powerful Shaman of the Spirit Clan. Despite being over ten thousand years old, she appears as a young girl.
• Syu – A Dwarf Engineer with a large, sturdy physique and boisterous personality.
• Kashiwagi Gen – Karin’s father and Lord of the Kashiwagi territory. Husband to the ailing Akari.
• Akari – Currently bedridden and staring blankly due to a past Gate accident that shattered her life force mechanism.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
Leave a Reply